As part of an effort to provide “better entertainment value” for fans and to demonstrate more stability within the organization, the Olds Grizzlys are introducing a number of upgrades to the Olds Sports Complex along with changes to their game-day program.Shane Dixon, who was acclaimed as the team's new president in June, said one of the major upgrades fans will see at the rink this season is the first phase of sound system improvements.The team is installing new speakers directed at the stands for the crowd's enjoyment as well as speakers over the ice so players “can actually hear what's going on” during the game, he said.There will also be a new mixing board in the sound booth.Dixon said the team has partnered with the Olds Figure Skating Club so that the club has access to the speakers for their activities as well, Dixon said.A $7,500 donation from Lyle Peterman is being used for the sound system upgrade, he added.The new speakers are part of a planned three-phase sound system upgrade at the sports complex that will take place over three years.Dixon said if the team can generate enough revenue this season, it will go ahead with Phase 2 next year where two new projectors and two new screens will be installed.Phase 3 would include the installation of a cluster of speakers over centre ice.Joel Hunter, the team's business operations manager, said the Grizzlys are also bringing in changes for the Grizzly bar.Olds' Grouchy Daddy's Restaurant will sponsor the bar this season, he said, and the restaurant will provide “mobile servers” who will serve alcoholic beverages to spectators in the crowd during home games.The Grizzlys are also working on a deal with Olds College that, if finalized, would have the school's brewery selling its draught beer at the Grizzly bar, Hunter said.These changes to the bar, he added, will hopefully increase liquor sales and bring in more revenue for the team.Norm McInnis, the Town of Olds' chief administrative office, said the Grizzlys have not had any discussions with the town about its plans for serving people in the stands.He said the town and the team will have to sit down to determine if such a system of serving alcoholic drinks in the stands is allowable under the facility agreement between the Grizzlys and the town that governs use of the sports complex.Improvements are also in store for the team's dressing room and coaching office, along with equipment upgrades, thanks to a $10,500 provincial Community Initiatives Program grant the team received on July 21.Dixon said the team applied for the funding in September and the Grizzlys' board will decide what specific improvements are carried out using that cash.“It gives us the freedom to make some changes around here and spruce things up, make things a little bit better for the players,” he said.And the team plans to introduce a new “progressive” 50/50 ticket draw system this season where a running total of how much money is in the pot will be displayed in the sports complex lobby as people buy tickets ahead of the draw, Dixon said.“You can see the total growing as you purchase,” he said, adding the new system will hopefully lead to sales of more 50/50 tickets.The goal of the upgrades and improvements, Dixon said, is to give Grizzlys fans an even better experience when attending a game while bringing in more cash for the organization.“It is about a show for the fans outside of the hockey game and bottom line revenue-wise,” he said, adding the organization's efforts are also about creating a stronger financial position for the team in the long term.“Everything we've done in this off-season is to improve the sustainability of this club.”The Grizzlys have struggled with their finances in recent years and at the team's annual general meeting in June, the team announced it was shouldering a debt of $75,000—not including roughly $50,000 in payables.Hunter said the moves the team is making right now are just as much about attracting and retaining fans as about showing potential sponsors in the community that the team is working to create stability, both financially and personnel wise.Some of the businesses in the community he has approached for team sponsorship, he added, have expressed “apprehension” when it comes to trusting the team right now.“I'm the fifth person in the last three years they've talked to about sponsorship,” Hunter said, adding people are wondering if they'll be approached again in a few months by someone different.“A lot of people feel that, in the past few years, we've had, obviously, money troubles and people just think that because of the turnover and because of the revolving door, the inconsistencies, that their money is just kind of going into a bottomless pit.”But Hunter said he is making headway towards his sponsorship goals this summer and Dixon said the team can now demonstrate it is on the right track toward ending its financial troubles.“Based on where we were at this point last year versus where we are right now, we're in much, much better shape,” he [email protected]
